Where are Mortgage Rates Headed? The interest rate you pay on your home mortgage has a direct impact on your monthly payment. The higher the rate the greater the payment will be. That is why it is important to look at where rates are headed when deciding to buy now or wait until next year. According to a recent article in Kiplinger, 30 year mortgage rates are about to increase: “Now around 4.1%, rates will edge slowly toward 4.4% by the end of this year. Then they’ll follow the … [Read more...]
Archives for 2014
Will Boat for Food Blog Series: The Fishery Restaurant
The Fishery: Part 3 in the Boat for Food Blog Series- A Culinary Adventure around Useppa Island! We are motoring north again, in search of fresh fish for our get-away lunch. We cross Boca Grande pass and the fleet of boats working the fish inside of the pass. When you think of eating fish, however, it’s not tarpon but The Fishery Restaurant that comes to mind. Located immediately south of the old Boca Grande railroad bridge, this casual family restaurant is located adjacent to a real … [Read more...]
Selling Your House? New Construction Is Big Competition
Thinking of selling your house? New Construction Will Soon Be New Competition Useppa Island is about to see some new construction. A Sarasota custom builder is planning on starting their personal home soon in the Rum Cove neighborhood of Useppa. VIP construction is proposing 2 new homes in the next year. The following Trulia survey says that makes the present an opportune time to sell. However, it also creates opportunity to buy existing homes and renovate, at a cost well below the new … [Read more...]
New Study says Real Estate Market to See Upward Trend
New Study Reveals Optimistic Expectation for Real Estate Market RCLCO released, this week, a portion of their 2014 National Market Sentiment Survey and results indicate a—steady, moderate growth. Market sentiment for real estate in general is moderately optimistic, but these new results say the market should expect to see moderate to significant increases in home prices over the next 6 to 12 months. This trend should be particularly strong for Useppa Island, a laid back tropical island … [Read more...]
Will Boat for Food Blog Series: Barnacles Restaurant
Barnacles Restaurant: Part 2 in the Boat for Food Blog Series- A Culinary Adventure around Useppa Island! We turn our sights south for our next gastronomic exploration, to our neighboring island of Upper (or North) Captiva. Bridgeless like Useppa but having shores along the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound, Upper Captiva is home to 400+- beach houses, ranging from the bohemian to top shelf, all kind of mixed together. We can see this island and Captiva Pass, from the south and west shores … [Read more...]
Will Boat for Food Blog Series: The Pink Elephant
Will Boat for Food Blog Series: A Culinary Adventure around Useppa Island PART 1: The PINK ELEPHANT Because Useppa Island is a bridge-less island anchored by the Useppa Island Club, we frequently are asked if there is anywhere to dine besides the (wonderful) Collier Inn, the center of socializing and dining within the Club. After all, variety is important to all the senses. Since the island is home to boaters, naturally, we decided to discover just how many restaurants are accessible … [Read more...]
Useppa Island Celebrates The Beginning of Summer with a Solstice Party!
Useppa Celebrates Longest Day of the Year with a Summer Solstice Party On Saturday June 21, Useppa Island celebrated, the Summer Solstice, or longest day of the year and the first day of summer, with a cookout and party at the pool. The day featured live music from the jamming band, Stolen Fruit Duo. They rocked out and really jazzed up the day with a great set of 80's and 90's hits. The food was delicious as always and featured a menu of BBQ Ribs and Chicken with all plenty … [Read more...]
The Useppa People: Giving Back to the Community
Giving Back to the Island Community In keeping with the commitment made when we became Realtors, selling and helping to buy Useppa real estate, the time has come to live up to that commitment: to donate 5% of our gross commissions to Useppa Island charities, 501c3's, of which there are two…the Useppa Volunteer Fire Company and the Useppa Island Historical Society. Though we haven’t gotten a real check yet, we have closed two deals in a little more than two weeks and are excited to live up to … [Read more...]
Hurricane Season: Now in the Time to Prepare
Now is the Time to Prepare for Hurricane Season The official Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 and ends November 30, and while many experts predict the 2014 season to be a tad quieter than normal, it’s always best to be prepared. Hurricanes are massive storm systems that form over the water and move toward land. Threats from hurricanes include high winds, heavy rainfall, storm surge, coastal and inland flooding, rip currents, and tornadoes. With wind speeds of 111 miles per hour or more, … [Read more...]
Useppa Island Featured in the Tarpon Times
Useppa Island Real Estate professionals Brian And Mary McColgan (The Useppa People) featured in a full-page ad in Tarpon Times: … [Read more...]